Pilot study of an energy conservation education program delivered by telephone conference call to people with multiple sclerosis

Objective: To modify and pilot test a face-to-face group energy conservation education program for delivery by group telephone teleconference to people with multiple sclerosis. Participants: 29 community dwelling individuals with multiple sclerosis. Methods: The first phase of the study involved the modification of an existing energy conservation education program to accommodate teleconference delivery. The second phase involved a pilot test of the intervention using a basic pre/post intervention design. Licensed occupational therapists delivered the intervention. Outcome Measures: Fatigue severity, fatigue impact, health related quality of life, self-efficacy for performing energy conservation strategies, and use of energy conservation behaviors. Findings: Using an a priori alpha of p = 0.10,paired t-tests found significant reductions in fatigue severity, fatigue impact, and improvements in the following aspects of quality of life: bodily pain and general health. Average effect size was 0.31. The most used energy conservation strategies after the course were simplifying activities, adjusting priorities, changing body position, resting, and planning the day to balance work and rest. Conclusion: The pilot study supports on-going development and testing of energy conservation education delivered by teleconference to people with multiple sclerosis.